Preventing Flooded Basements

Finished basements add a lot of value to a home. Flooded basements destroy anything and everything of value, even the very foundation of your home. Water damage in basements is a very common problem, and one you do not want to have to deal with. Long before your Filion home experiences a flooded basement situation, we at Aladdin’s Cleaning recommend you focus on the following preventative steps, and if your basement does require water damage cleanup at any point, don’t hesitate to call our emergency crew 24 hours a day!

Preventative Tips

1. Landscaping – Look around your property for ways to divert rainwater away from your home. Rainwater pooling around the home’s foundation will more likely than not lead to a flooded basement that will require professional water damage cleanup. Make sure that rain gutter downspouts lead water away from your home (at least 10 feet). Do not connect downspouts to your foundation footer drain tiles or to underground dry wells, as this will cause water to further saturate the ground around your home. You should also consider making the grade of your yard surfaces slope away from your home to help further divert water.

2. Thwart Water Away – Keep rain gutters clean and clear from debris and blockages. Blocked gutters will cause all of the water collecting on the roof to run off directly against your house down to the foundation. Water running against the foundation will greatly increase the likelihood of basement flooding. Consider checking and cleaning rain gutters once in the spring, and again in the fall, especially after all the leaves have fallen down. It is also good practice to check gutters following any strong winds or heavy storms.

3. Water Pooling – Watch your home during heavy rainstorms to see if water is pooling in any areas near your foundation, or if any surface water is being directed toward your home. This will show you any potential problem areas, so that you can get them addressed. You can call a local landscaper or excavation contractor for advice on ways to re-grade your yard so that surface water is kept away from the foundation.

4. Backup Power – Have an emergency power source in place that can kick in when power is lost. An emergency generator will help provide electric service for essential circuits like electric heat, the furnace, well pump, refrigerator, septic tank pump, and sump pump. When these services lose power, your basement is at an increased risk for flooding from frozen water pipes or a flooded septic tank. Emergency backup power for these circuits is just another safeguard for your home, and your comfort.

5. Sump Pumps – Install a sump pump and back up sump pump. Automatic sump pumps are installed in pits placed in the lowest part of a basement or crawlspace to help keep the ground under the home dry to prevent water flooding into the basement. Water flows into the sump pit through drains or by natural water migration through the soil, and will pump water out of the pit and away from the home. The sump pump is the first line of defense your basement has against flooding, but even the most reliable sump pumps can fail. A battery operated backup sump pump that can begin working if the main pump is out of commission will greatly reduce the chance of flooding. 

Prevention is a much less expensive route than restoration, but even with all the preventative steps in place, your basement may still suffer from heavy water damage. If you find yourself dealing with water damage, regardless of where it is in your home, be sure to call Aladdin’s Cleaning and Restoration. The water damage cleanup specialists at Aladdin’s are always ready for your flood damage needs in Filion and surrounding areas.